Since the Harvest of 1975, Bob Lindquist has been working in the wine business. At the young age of 22 years his first job was working as a “cellar rat” for a small family winery near Gilroy CA. On his days off he explored the up-and-coming wineries of Santa Barbara County and fell in love with the area. This led to a job with Zaca Mesa Winery in Los Olivos in 1979 as the winery’s very first tour guide.
In 1982, while still at Zaca Mesa, Bob founded his first winery, Qupé Wine Cellars. Qupé became one of the early pioneers of Rhone varietals in California, with a focus on Syrah. Bob also made Chardonnay from Santa Barbara grapes to “pay the bills”. In 1989, Bob and Jim Clendenen partnered to build their own winery at Bien Nacido Vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley, which they called CLV (short for Clendenen Lindquist Vintners).
In 2018, Bob started his own eponymous brand, Lindquist Family Wines, still focusing on Rhone varietals and Chardonnay. Bob’s wife, Louisa Sawyer Lindquist is also a winemaker, with a focus on Iberian varietals and Cabernet Sauvignon under the brand name Verdad.
Bob’s lifetime accolades in the field of winemaking are numerous and notable, including:
- First President of the Santa Barbara Vintners – 1983
- Founding member of The Rhone Rangers – 1988
- Winemaker of the Year from the Central Coast Winegrowers – 1994
- “One of the World’s 50 most Influential Winemakers” Wine & Spirits Magazine